Compulsory labour for refugees: Austria tightens the rules

In the federal state of Burgenland (Austria) from 1 July 2025, a new norm will come into effect: all asylum seekers are obliged to participate in socially useful work - from caring for green areas to helping in nursing homes and cleaning public spaces, Die Presse writes.

Participants will receive a token payment of €1.60 for every hour of work done. If they refuse to perform such tasks twice without a valid reason, they will lose the full package of social support, the newspaper writes.

Other changes await refugees:

• Instead of accommodation in a flat - only a sleeping place

• Medical insurance is excluded

• Only basic medical care and food will be provided

Burgenland's Minister of Social Policy Daniela Winkler (SPÖ) said: "Those who continuously receive help from the state must utilise their strengths and give something back to society in return."

Compulsory labour can take up to 30 hours per week (or 20 hours if the refugee has childcare responsibilities). The purpose of the innovation is not only to reduce the burden on the system, but also to help refugees gain social contacts and improve their basic German language skills through practice.

It should be noted that in Germany § 5 of the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act also provides for the possibility to engage refugees in community work as early as three months after the asylum application has been submitted.

As of 1 January 2025, there are 87,949 Ukrainian citizens born in Austria - six times more than at the beginning of 2022.